November 2018 Briefing – Internal Medicine

Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Internal Medicine for November 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.

Presence of Antiphospholipid Antibodies Tied to First-Time MI

FRIDAY, Nov. 30, 2018 — There is a strong and independent association between the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) and first-time myocardial infarction (MI), according to a research letter published recently in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Limiting Social Media May Improve Psychological Well-Being

FRIDAY, Nov. 30, 2018 — Limiting social media use to 30 minutes per day may lead to significant improvement in well-being, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology.

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Teva Recalls Two Blood Pressure Medications

FRIDAY, Nov. 30, 2018 — All lots of amlodipine/valsartan and amlodipine/valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide combination blood pressure tablets have been recalled by Teva Pharmaceuticals due to higher-than-acceptable levels of a chemical that may cause cancer.

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Rotating Night Shift Work, Lifestyle Factors Linked to T2DM

FRIDAY, Nov. 30, 2018 — Both rotating night shift work and unhealthy lifestyle are associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes among female nurses, with a significant additive interaction, according to a study published online Nov. 21 in the BMJ.

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Hypnotherapy Beats Education for Relief of IBS Symptoms

FRIDAY, Nov. 30, 2018 — For patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), individual and group hypnotherapy are more effective than educational supportive therapy in relieving symptoms, according to a study published online Nov. 22 in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

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Several Risk Factors More Strongly Linked to MI in Women

FRIDAY, Nov. 30, 2018 — The incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) is higher in men than women, but several risk factors are more strongly linked to MI in women, according to a study published online Nov. 7 in The BMJ.

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Genetic Analysis Shows Higher BMI May Up Risk for Depression

THURSDAY, Nov. 29, 2018 — Being overweight likely plays a causal role in the development of depression, even in the absence of other health problems, according to a study published online Nov. 13 in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

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Climate Change Ups Heat Deaths, Especially Among Elderly

THURSDAY, Nov. 29, 2018 — Risk for heat-related disease and death is rising worldwide due to climate change, according to a report published online Nov. 28 in The Lancet.

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Dementia Often Misclassified With Brief Cognitive Assessments

THURSDAY, Nov. 29, 2018 — When using brief cognitive assessments, dementia is often misclassified, according to a study published online Nov. 28 in Neurology Clinical Practice.

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Certain SGLT2 Inhibitors, GLP-1 RAs for T2DM Also Cut CV Risk

THURSDAY, Nov. 29, 2018 — Certain sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) demonstrate significant cardiovascular (CV) benefit and should be used for reducing CV risk in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), according to a report of the American College of Cardiology Task Force on Expert Consensus Decision Pathways published online Nov. 26 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

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CDC: U.S. Life Expectancy Decreased From 2016 to 2017

THURSDAY, Nov. 29, 2018 — From 2016 to 2017, there was a decrease in life expectancy in the United States, with recent increases noted in drug overdose deaths and suicide mortality, according to three reports published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

Persistent Back Pain Linked to Earlier Mortality in Older Women

THURSDAY, Nov. 29, 2018 — Frequent persistent back pain is associated with increased mortality in older women, according to a study recently published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

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Home-Based Intervention Helpful for Disadvantaged CKD Patients

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 28, 2018 — A home-based intervention can improve disadvantaged chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients’ activation in their health and health care, according to a study published online Nov. 15 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

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FDA: Kratom Products Have High Levels of Heavy Metals

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 28, 2018 — In addition to many other health risks, kratom products can have high levels of heavy metals, according to Scott Gottlieb, M.D., commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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Healthy Lifestyle Tied to Less Atherosclerosis for Women

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 28, 2018 — A healthy lifestyle during midlife is associated with less subclinical atherosclerosis among women, according to a study published online Nov. 28 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

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Lanadelumab Reduces Attack Rate in Hereditary Angioedema

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 28, 2018 — For patients with hereditary angioedema type I or II, lanadelumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that selectively inhibits active plasma kallikrein, reduces the attack rate compared with placebo, according to a study published in the Nov. 27 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Fruits, Veggies, Orange Juice May Protect Men’s Memory

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 28, 2018 — Higher consumption of vegetables and fruits is associated with lower odds of future memory loss in men, according to a study published online Nov. 21 in Neurology.

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Protein Intake Tied to Disability Trajectory in Very Old

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 28, 2018 — For very old adults, higher protein intake is associated with better disability trajectories, according to a study published online Nov. 1 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

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FDA: Safe to Eat Romaine Lettuce Again, but Check Labels

TUESDAY, Nov. 27, 2018 — In a statement released late yesterday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., announced that the agency was lifting its advisory against eating romaine lettuce, first put in place last Tuesday. At that point, the agency had not been able to narrow down the source of the tainted lettuce. But now the source seems to be “end-of-season” lettuce harvested somewhere in the Central Coast regions of central and northern California. And “harvesting of romaine lettuce from this region has [already] ended for the year,” Gottlieb noted.

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FDA to Update Medical Device Approvals Process

TUESDAY, Nov. 27, 2018 — A major update of the United States’ system for approving medical devices was announced yesterday by the Food and Drug Administration.

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Four Principles Underlie Patient and Family Partnership in Care

TUESDAY, Nov. 27, 2018 — Patient and family partnership in care should include treatment of patients and families with dignity and respect, their active engagement in all aspects of care, and their contribution to the improvement of health care systems and education of health care professionals, according to a position paper published online Nov. 27 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Food Assistance May Help Older Adults Adhere to Diabetes Meds

TUESDAY, Nov. 27, 2018 — Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may reduce the number of low-income older adults with diabetes forgoing medications because of cost, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

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Recommended Therapies for Polycythemia Vera Underused

TUESDAY, Nov. 27, 2018 — Among older patients with polycythemia vera (PV), therapeutic phlebotomy and hydroxyurea (HU) are associated with improved overall survival and decreased risk for thrombosis but are underused, according to a study recently published in Blood Advances.

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Vitamin D Levels Linked to Cardiorespiratory Fitness

TUESDAY, Nov. 27, 2018 — Serum vitamin D levels are associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), according to a study recently published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

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ACA Coverage Substantial, but Did Not Impact Labor Markets

MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2018 — Millions of workers gained insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) without adverse effects on labor markets, according to a report published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute.

Report: How Have Workers Fared Under the ACA?

Newborns Infected With Ebola in Congo Outbreak

MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2018 — Ebola infections in newborns are being reported in the current outbreak of the deadly disease in Congo, the World Health Organization says.

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USPSTF Suggests Universal HIV Screening, PrEP for High-Risk Patients

TUESDAY, Nov. 20, 2018 — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends HIV screening for individuals aged 15 to 65 years, including all pregnant women, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) should be offered to those at high risk of HIV. These findings form the basis of two draft recommendation statements published online Nov. 20 by the USPSTF.

Insulin Needed for T2DM Tx Set to Increase >20 Percent by 2030

MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2018 — From 2018 to 2030, the insulin required to treat type 2 diabetes is expected to increase more than 20 percent, according to a study published online Nov. 20 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

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Lung Cancer Screening Implementation Guide Developed

MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2018 — The American Lung Association and the American Thoracic Society have established a website to guide implementation of lung cancer screening, according to an editorial published in the Nov. 1 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)Implementation Guide for Lung Cancer Screening

Clinical Decision Support System Ups Outpatient PE Management

MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2018 — The use of a clinical decision support system (CDSS) in the emergency department can improve outpatient management for patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), according to a study published online Nov. 13 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Obesity Tied to Increased Risk for Early-Onset CRC in Women

MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2018 — Obesity is associated with an increased risk for early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) among women, according to a study recently published in JAMA Oncology.

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U of Maryland Student Dies of Adenovirus-Related Illness

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 21, 2018 — An 18-year-old University of Maryland student has died from an adenovirus-related illness, and there have been reports of five other cases among students.

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FDA Approves Drug for Treatment of Travelers’ Diarrhea

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 21, 2018 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday announced it has approved Aemcolo (rifamycin), an antibacterial drug indicated for treating adult patients with travelers’ diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) without fever or blood in the stool.

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Smoke-Free Policies Linked to Lower Systolic Blood Pressure

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 21, 2018 — Smoke-free policies are associated with small reductions in blood pressure (BP), according to a study published online Nov. 21 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

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Switching to High-Deductible Insurance Delays Diabetes Care

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 21, 2018 — For patients with diabetes, those switching from low-deductible to high-deductible insurance have increased delays in seeking care and diagnostic testing for macrovascular symptoms and for first procedure-based treatment, according to a study published online Nov. 20 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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FDA: Another E. coli Outbreak Linked to Romaine Lettuce

TUESDAY, Nov. 20, 2018 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with health officials from various states are asking American consumers to avoid romaine lettuce due to an outbreak of Escherichia coli illness.

FDA Fast FactsCDC Food Safety Alert

Dementia Tied to Mortality in Older Adults With Down Syndrome

TUESDAY, Nov. 20, 2018 — Dementia is associated with mortality in most older adults with Down syndrome, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in JAMA Neurology.

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NPs and PAs Can Effectively Manage Diabetes in Primary Care

TUESDAY, Nov. 20, 2018 — Diabetes outcomes do not differ for patients treated with a primary care provider who is either a physician, nurse practitioner (NP), or physician assistant (PA), according to a study published online Nov. 20 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Better Work Environment Tied to Better Patient Safety

TUESDAY, Nov. 20, 2018 — The results of a recent survey of thousands of nurses and patients show that hospital patient safety remains a serious concern, according to a study published in the November issue of Health Affairs.

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Pain Management Telementoring May Cut Opioid Prescribing

TUESDAY, Nov. 20, 2018 — Military patients whose primary care clinicians participated in a telementoring program, including education on pain management best practices, have larger declines in opioid-related prescriptions than patients whose clinicians did not participate, according to a study published online Oct. 31 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

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Cap’n Crunch Cereal Recalled Due to Salmonella Scare

MONDAY, Nov. 19, 2018 — A small number of boxes of Cap’n Crunch’s Peanut Butter Crunch are being recalled due to potential Salmonella contamination, Quaker Oats says.

HIV Transmission Risk Small With Antiretroviral Compliance

MONDAY, Nov. 19, 2018 — The risk for sexual transmission of HIV is negligible when an HIV-positive sex partner adheres to antiretroviral therapy and maintains viral suppression, according to research published in the November issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.

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Opioid Misuse Varies With Sexual Orientation

MONDAY, Nov. 19, 2018 — Opioid misuse varies with sexual orientation, with increased misuse among female bisexuals, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

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Onset of Musculoskeletal Adverse Events Varies Between Statins

MONDAY, Nov. 19, 2018 — The onset of musculoskeletal adverse events (MAEs) during statin monotherapy is significantly faster with use of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin versus simvastatin, according to a study published online Nov. 7 in Pharmacology Research & Perspectives.

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Climate Change Expected to Lead to Rise in Lyme Disease

FRIDAY, Nov. 16, 2018 — Rising temperatures are expected to increase the number of cases of Lyme disease in the United States by more than 20 percent by mid-century, according to a study published online Oct. 24 in the Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology.

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CDC: Increase Seen in Salmonella Illnesses From Ground Beef

FRIDAY, Nov. 16, 2018 — There have been 126 more cases of illness added to an investigation into a Salmonella outbreak linked to recalled ground beef products from JBS Tolleson Inc., bringing the total to 246 cases in 25 states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

CDC Food Safety Alert

Higher Risk for Amputation, DKA With SGLT2 Inhibitors for T2DM

FRIDAY, Nov. 16, 2018 — Use of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors is associated with an increased risk for lower-limb amputation and diabetic ketoacidosis compared with use of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) receptor agonists, according to a study published online Nov. 14 in The BMJ.

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CDC: 8.8 Percent Uninsured in U.S. in First Half of 2018

FRIDAY, Nov. 16, 2018 — In the first six months of 2018, 8.8 percent of U.S. individuals of all ages were uninsured, which was not significantly different from 2017, according to a report published Nov. 15 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.

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Patients Hospitalized for COPD Rarely Receive Pulmonary Rehab

FRIDAY, Nov. 16, 2018 — Few patients hospitalized for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) receive pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), according to a study published online Nov. 12 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

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Drug Overdose Mortality Rates Highest in United States

FRIDAY, Nov. 16, 2018 — In 2015, the United States had higher drug overdose mortality rates than those of many other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member countries, according to a research letter published online Nov. 13 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Name-Brand Medications Driving Spike in U.S. Drug Spending

THURSDAY, Nov. 15, 2018 — Rising drug spending in the United States is being fueled by expensive name-brand prescription medicines, a new study shows.

NBC News ArticleBlue Cross Blue Shield Report

CDC: Many Americans May Have Prediabetes and Not Know It

THURSDAY, Nov. 15, 2018 — More than one-third of Americans have prediabetes, but 90 percent of them do not know they have it, medical experts say.

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No Age-Related Increase in BP for Yanomami Community

THURSDAY, Nov. 15, 2018 — The Amerindian Yanomami community, which has no exposure to Western lifestyle, has no age-associated rise in blood pressure (BP), according to a research letter published online Nov. 14 in JAMA Cardiology.

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Patient Experiences Shed Light on Diagnostic Errors

THURSDAY, Nov. 15, 2018 — Data from patient- and family-reported error narratives indicate that problems related to patient-physician interactions are major contributors to diagnostic errors, according to a study published in the November issue of Health Affairs.

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Red Cross Issues Urgent Call for Blood Ahead of the Holidays

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14, 2018 — There is an urgent need for blood and platelet donations in the United States because donations during September and October fell 21,000 units short of hospital needs, the American Red Cross says.

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CDC: Record Number of Tickborne Disease Cases in U.S. Last Year

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14, 2018 — The number of Americans with tickborne diseases reached a record high of nearly 60,000 in 2017, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

AMA to Collect Data on Suicide Among Doctors-in-Training

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14, 2018 — By collecting data on suicides by medical students, residents, and fellows, the American Medical Association hopes to identify ways to reduce suicides among doctors-in-training. The data collection policy was approved at a meeting yesterday.

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Sudden Cardiac Death Rates Up in Blacks Versus Whites

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14, 2018 — Sudden cardiac death (SCD) rates are significantly higher among black adults than white adults without a history of cardiovascular disease, according to a study published in the Nov. 13 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

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Changes in Risk Indicators of MetS Severity Tied to T2DM Risk

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14, 2018 — For patients with prediabetes who are randomly assigned to interventions, changes in risk indicators of metabolic syndrome (MetS) severity are associated with the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a study published in the November issue of Diabetes Care.

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Pharmacist-Led Effort Cuts Inappropriate Rx in Older Adults

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14, 2018 — A pharmacist-led intervention has the potential to reduce prescriptions for inappropriate medication in older adults, according to a study published in the Nov. 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Heart Disease Leading Cause of Death in Low-Income Counties

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14, 2018 — The leading cause of death varies with income in the United States, with heart disease still the leading cause of death in low-income counties, according to a study published online Nov. 13 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Consensus Statement Issued on Management of Foot, Ankle Gout

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14, 2018 — The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners-Orthopedics Specialty Practice Group have issued a new joint clinical consensus statement on the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of gouty arthritis of the foot and ankle; the consensus statement was published in the November-December issue of the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery.

USPSTF Recommends Screening Adults for Unhealthy Alcohol Use

TUESDAY, Nov. 13, 2018 — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that primary care clinicians screen all adults, including pregnant women, for unhealthy alcohol use and provide brief behavioral counseling to reduce unhealthy alcohol use. These findings form the basis of a final recommendation statement published in the Nov. 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Ebola Outbreak Worst in Congo’s History

TUESDAY, Nov. 13, 2018 — The current Ebola outbreak in Congo is the worst in the country’s recorded history, the health ministry says.

Coordinated Care Needed for Cancer Survivors, Caregivers

TUESDAY, Nov. 13, 2018 — There is an urgent need for coordinated, comprehensive, personalized care for cancer survivors and caregivers, according to a report published online Oct. 30 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

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Quick New Ebola Test Approved by FDA

FRIDAY, Nov. 9, 2018 — A fast, single-use fingerstick test for infection with the Ebola virus has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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Progress Toward Goals in Global Health Is Slowing

FRIDAY, Nov. 9, 2018 — Global progress in health has slowed, and improvements in health have been unevenly distributed, according to a series of articles published in a special issue of The Lancet, highlighting the fact that global progress in health is not inevitable.

The Lancet – The Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

CDC: About One in Three Adults With Prediabetes Has Arthritis

FRIDAY, Nov. 9, 2018 — About one in three adults with prediabetes has arthritis, and half of those with both conditions are physically inactive and/or obese, according to research published in the Nov. 9 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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In Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair, Curcumin Lacks Benefit

FRIDAY, Nov. 9, 2018 — When used perioperatively in elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, curcumin has no beneficial effect, according to a study published in the Oct. 29 issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.

Urinary Incontinence Common in Women Over 50 Years

FRIDAY, Nov. 9, 2018 — Nearly half of women older than 50 years report having urinary incontinence, according to the results of the National Poll on Healthy Aging, published on Nov. 1.

National Poll on Healthy Aging

Firearm Violence Is a Public Health Issue, Physicians Say

THURSDAY, Nov. 8, 2018 — In a position paper published online Oct. 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the American College of Physicians (ACP) has updated its policy recommendations for reducing gun-related injuries and deaths in the United States.

Abstract/Full TextEditorial

CDC: Increases in Yoga, Meditation for Children in 2012-2017

THURSDAY, Nov. 8, 2018 — The use of yoga and meditation have increased in recent years among children and adults, while use of chiropractors has also increased among adults, according to two November data briefs published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.

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FDA Approves New Version of OTC Primatene Mist

THURSDAY, Nov. 8, 2018 — A new version of an over-the-counter asthma inhaler that was taken off the market in 2011 has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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CDC Warns of Salmonella Illnesses Linked to Raw Turkey

THURSDAY, Nov. 8, 2018 — The total number of illnesses in a Salmonella outbreak linked with raw turkey products now stands at 164 people across 35 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Zoliflodacin Seems Effective for Some Gonococcal Infections

THURSDAY, Nov. 8, 2018 — Oral zoliflodacin, which inhibits DNA biosynthesis, seems effective for urogenital and rectal gonococcal infections but is less effective for pharyngeal infections, according to a study published in the Nov. 8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Herpes Zoster Recombinant Vaccine Seems Most Effective

THURSDAY, Nov. 8, 2018 — The herpes zoster adjuvant recombinant subunit vaccine may be more effective than the live attenuated vaccine, though it is associated with an increased risk for adverse events at the injection site, according to a review published online Oct. 25 in The BMJ.

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In-Hospital Infection May Up Readmission After Stroke

THURSDAY, Nov. 8, 2018 — For patients with ischemic stroke, infection during stroke hospitalization is associated with increased odds of 30-day readmission, according to a study published online Nov. 1 in Stroke.

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HTN in Young Adulthood Linked to CVD Later in Life

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 7, 2018 — High blood pressure (BP) in early adulthood is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life, according to two studies published in the Nov. 6 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Possible Salmonella Prompts Duncan Hines Cake Mix Recall

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 7, 2018 — Four varieties of Duncan Hines cake mix have been recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination.

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Medicaid Expansion Approved in Three Republican-Leaning States

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 7, 2018 — Hundreds of thousands more low-income Americans could get health insurance after voters in three Republican-leaning states approved Medicaid expansion in the midterm elections.

CNBC Article

Nonadherence, Discontinuation of Statins High in 1st Year of Rx

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 7, 2018 — First-year nonadherence and discontinuation are high among older adults prescribed statins, according to a study published online Nov. 7 in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

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Happy Childhood Memories Associated With Better Health

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 7, 2018 — Those with fond memories of childhood and strong relationships with their parents have better health throughout adulthood, according to a study published online Nov. 5 in Health Psychology.

Over Two Million People Living With Hep C From 2013 to 2016

TUESDAY, Nov. 6, 2018 — During 2013 to 2016, more than two million people in the United States had current hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, according to a study published online Nov. 6 in Hepatology.

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CDC Director Says Congo Ebola Outbreak May Be Uncontainable

TUESDAY, Nov. 6, 2018 — It may not be possible to bring the Ebola outbreak in Congo under control, and the deadly disease may become entrenched in the northeastern part of the country, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield says.

Washington Post ArticleMore Information: CDC

AHA: After 2007 Recs, Increase Seen in Infective Endocarditis

TUESDAY, Nov. 6, 2018 — Following the 2007 American Heart Association (AHA) update of recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) to prevent infective endocarditis (IE), there has been a decrease in AP and an increase in IE incidence for high-risk individuals, according to a study published online Nov. 5 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The research was published to coincide with the annual meeting of the American Heart Association, held from Nov. 10 to 12 in Chicago.

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Pressure Ulcer Rates Only Decreasing for Less Severe Sores

TUESDAY, Nov. 6, 2018 — The incidence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) is much lower based on administrative data than chart review data, and decreases in incidence appear to be only seen with less severe sores, according to a study published online Nov. 5 in Health Affairs.

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Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis 7.3 Percent in U.S. Adults

TUESDAY, Nov. 6, 2018 — The prevalence of atopic dermatitis is 7.3 percent among U.S. adults, and patients with atopic dermatitis and more severe disease have worse quality of life, according to a study published online Oct. 30 in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

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Majority of Internists Still Have Financial Ties to Industry

MONDAY, Nov. 5, 2018 — A majority of internists still report financial ties to industry, according to a study published online Oct. 5 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

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Models Project 79 Percent Drop in Lung CA Mortality by 2065

MONDAY, Nov. 5, 2018 — Existing tobacco control efforts will continue to reduce lung cancer mortality through 2065, according to a study published online Oct. 9 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Notes Reflecting Financial Considerations ID’d in ICU

MONDAY, Nov. 5, 2018 — Among patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), 4.2 percent of admissions have at least one note reflecting financial considerations, according to a study published online Nov. 2 in JAMA Network Open.

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U.S. Opioid Overdose Deaths Reach Record Number

FRIDAY, Nov. 2, 2018 — The number of opioid overdose deaths in the United States reached a new record last year with 72,000 deaths, which works out to about 200 a day, according to a Drug Enforcement Administration report released today. The report comes just over a week after U.S. health secretary Alex Azar said overdose deaths have started to level off.

AP News Article2018 National Drug Threat Assessment

Sign-Up Season Begins on HealthCare.gov

FRIDAY, Nov. 2, 2018 — The federal government website where Americans can sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act is up and running, officials said yesterday.

AP News ArticleHealthCare.gov

Age to Stop Cervical Cancer Screening Depends on Test Used

FRIDAY, Nov. 2, 2018 — Continuing regular cytology screening up to age 75 years or performing an exit human papillomavirus (HPV) test to confirm the absence of oncogenic HPV strains past the age of 55 years offers preventive benefit for older women with a cervix, according to a study published online Nov. 1 in The Lancet Oncology.

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HPV Vaccination Uptake Increasing, but Still Too Low

FRIDAY, Nov. 2, 2018 — Although progress has been made in increasing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, coverage is still too low to achieve full cancer prevention potential, according to a report from the President’s Cancer Panel published Nov. 1.

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Age, Racial Disparities Seen in Hospitalization for Heart Failure

FRIDAY, Nov. 2, 2018 — For emergency department patients with heart failure, data reveal age and racial disparities in hospitalization rates, according to a study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

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Second Hypertension Drug Recalled Due to Contamination

THURSDAY, Nov. 1, 2018 — Another hypertension drug is being recalled due to contamination that could pose a cancer risk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.

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Plant-Based Diets Beneficial for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

THURSDAY, Nov. 1, 2018 — For adults with type 2 diabetes, plant-based diets can improve psychological health, quality of life, hemoglobin A1c levels, and weight, according to a review published online Oct. 30 in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care.

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2011 to 2015 Saw Decline in Health Care-Associated Infections

THURSDAY, Nov. 1, 2018 — From 2011 to 2015, there was a reduction in the prevalence of health care-associated infections, according to a study published in the Nov. 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Financial Conflicts of Interest Prevalent Among CPG Authors

THURSDAY, Nov. 1, 2018 — There is a high prevalence of financial conflicts of interest among authors of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) related to high-revenue medications and in gastroenterology, according to two research letters published online Oct. 29 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

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Home BP of 130/80 mm Hg ID’d as Threshold for Stage 1 HTN

THURSDAY, Nov. 1, 2018 — A home blood pressure (BP) reading of 130/80 mm Hg should be considered the threshold for stage 1 hypertension, according to a study published online Oct. 29 in Hypertension.

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